The objective of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Program is
to protect employees from the risk of injury by creating a barrier against
workplace hazards. Personal protective equipment is not a substitute
for good engineering or administrative controls or good work practices,
but should be used in conjunction with these controls to ensure the safety
and health of employees. Personal protective equipment will be provided,
used, and maintained when it has been determined that its use is required
and that such use will lessen the likelihood of occupational injury and/or
illness.

This program addresses eye, face, head, foot, and hand protection.
Separate programs exist for respiratory protection since the need for
participation in this program is established through industrial hygiene
monitoring.

The Hope College Personal Protective Equipment Program includes:
Responsibilities of supervisors, employees, and the Office of Health and Fire
Safety
Hazard assessment and PPE selection
Employee training
Recordkeeping requirements

2.0 Responsibilities

2.1 Supervisors
Supervisors have the primary responsibility for implementation of the PPE Program
in their work area. This involves: Providing appropriate PPE and making it
available to employees. Ensuring employees are trained on the proper use, care,
and cleaning of PPE. Maintaining records on PPE assignments and training. Supervising
staff to ensure that the PPE Program elements are followed and that employees
properly use and care for PPE. Seeking assistance from OHFS to evaluate hazards.
Notifying OHFS when new hazards are introduced or when processes are added
or changed. Ensuring defective or damaged equipment is immediately replaced
.

2.2 Employees
The PPE user is responsible for following the requirements of the PPE Program.
This involves: Wearing PPE as required. Attending required training sessions.
Caring for, cleaning, and maintaining PPE as required. Informing the supervisor
of the need to repair or replace PPE.

2.3 Office of Health and Fire Safety

The Office of Health and Safety (OHFS) is responsible for the development,
implementation, and administration of the PPE Program. This involves:

Conducting workplace hazard assessments to determine the presence of
hazards which necessitate the use of PPE.

Conducting periodic workplace reassessments as requested by supervisors
and/or as determined by OHFS.

Maintaining records on hazard assessments.

Providing training and technical assistance to supervisors on the proper
use, care, and cleaning of approved PPE.

Providing guidance to the supervisor for the selection and purchase of
approved PPE.

Periodically reevaluating the suitability of previously selected PPE.

Reviewing, updating, and evaluating the overall effectiveness of the
PPE Program.

3.0 Program Components

3.1 Hazard Assessment and Equipment Selection

OSHA requires employers to conduct inspections of all workplaces
to determine the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and to
help in selecting the proper PPE for each task performed. For each
work site, a certificate must be completed which lists the findings
of the inspection and the specific protective equipment needed. These
duties will be distributed between OHFS and supervisors.

The Office of Health and Fire Safety, in conjunction with Supervisors,
will conduct a walk-through survey of each work area to identify sources
of hazards, including impact, penetration, compression, chemical, heat,
dust, electrical sources, material handling, and light radiation.

Each survey will be documented using the Hazard Assessment Certification
Form (Appendix B), which identifies the workplace surveyed, the person
conducting the survey, findings of potential hazards, and date of the
survey.

Once the hazards of a workplace have been identified, OHFS will determine
the suitability of the PPE presently available and as necessary select
new or additional equipment, which ensures a level of protection greater
than the minimum required to protect the employees from the hazards.
Care will be taken to recognize the possibility of multiple and simultaneous
exposure to a variety of hazards. Adequate protection against the highest
level of each of the hazards will be provided or recommended for purchase.

3.2 Protective Devices

All personal protective clothing and equipment will be of safe design
and construction for the work to be performed and shall be maintained
in a sanitary and reliable condition. Only those items of protective
clothing and equipment that meet NIOSH or ANSI (American National Standards
Institute) standards will be procured or accepted for use. Newly purchased
PPE must conform to the updated ANSI standards, which have been incorporated
into the OSHA PPE regulations, as follows:

Eye and Face Protection ANSI Z87.1-1989

Head Protection ANSI Z89.1-1986

Foot Protection ANSI Z41.1-1991

Hand Protection there are no ANSI standards for gloves, however,
selection must be based on the performance characteristics of the
glove in relation to the tasks to be performed.

Careful consideration will be given to comfort and fit of PPE in
order to ensure that it will be used. Protective devices are generally
available in a variety of sizes. Care should be taken to ensure that
the right size is selected.

3.2.1 Eye and Face Protection

Prevention of eye injuries requires that all persons who may be in
eye hazard areas wear protective eyewear. This includes employees,
visitors, researchers, contractors, or others passing through an identified
eye hazard area. To provide protection for these personnel, Supervisors
of such areas shall procure a sufficient quantity of goggles and/or
plastic eye protectors which afford the maximum amount of protection
possible. If these personnel wear personal glasses, they shall be provided
with a suitable eye protector to wear over them.

Suitable protectors shall be used when employees are exposed to hazards
from flying particles, molten metal, acids or caustic liquids, chemical
liquids, gases, or vapors, bioaerosols, or potentially injurious light
radiation. Wearers of contact lenses must also wear appropriate eye
and face protection devices in a hazardous environment. Side protectors
shall be used when there is a hazard from flying objects. Goggles and
face shields shall be used when there is a hazard from chemical splash.
Face shields shall only be worn over primary eye protection (safety
glasses or goggles). For employees who wear prescription lenses, eye
protectors shall either incorporate the prescription in the design
or fit properly over the prescription lenses. Protectors shall be marked
to identify the manufacturer. Equipment fitted with appropriate filter
lenses shall be used to protect against light radiation. Tinted and
shaded lenses are not filter lenses unless they are marked or identified
as such.

Prescription Safety Eyewear

OSHA regulations require that each affected employee who wears prescription
lenses while engaged in operations that involve eye hazards shall wear
eye protection that incorporates the prescription in its design, or
shall wear eye protection that can be worn over the prescription lenses
(goggles, faceshields) without disturbing the proper position of the
prescription lenses or the protective lenses. Personnel requiring prescription
safety glasses must contact the Office of Health and Safety to have
their request for prescription safety glasses processed.

Emergency Eyewash Facilities

Emergency eyewash facilities meeting the requirements of ANSI Z358.1
will be provided in all areas where the eyes of any employee may be
exposed to corrosive materials. All such emergency facilities will
be located where they are easily accessible in an emergency.

3.2.2 Head Protection

Head protection will be furnished to, and used by, all employees
and contractors engaged in construction and other miscellaneous work.
Head protection is also required to be worn by engineers, inspectors,
and visitors at construction sites when hazards from falling or fixed
objects, or electrical shock are present. Bump caps/skull guards will
be issued and worn for protection against scalp lacerations from contact
with sharp objects. However, they will not be worn as substitutes for
safety caps/hats because they do not afford protection from high impact
forces or penetration by falling objects.

3.2.3 Foot Protection

Safety shoes shall be worn in the shops, warehouses, maintenance,
groundskeeping, and other areas as determined by OHFS. All safety footwear
shall comply with ANSI Z41-1991, "American National Standard for Personal
Protection - Protective Footwear."

Safety shoes or boots with impact protection are required to be worn
in work areas where carrying or handling materials such as packages,
objects, parts or heavy tools, which could be dropped; and for other
activities where objects might fall onto the feet. Safety shoes or
boots with compression protection are required for work activities
involving skid trucks (manual materials handling cars) or other activities
in which materials or equipment could potentially roll over an employee's
feet. Safety shoes or boots with puncture protection are required where
sharp objects such as nails, wire, tacks, screws, large staples, scrap
metal etc., could be stepped on by employees causing a foot injury.

3.2.4 Hand Protection

Suitable gloves shall be worn when hazards from chemicals, cuts,
lacerations, abrasions, punctures, burns, biologicals, and harmful
temperature extremes are present. Glove selection shall be based on
performance characteristics of the gloves, conditions, duration's of
use, and hazards present. One type of glove will not work in all situations.

The first consideration in the selection of gloves for use against
chemicals is to determine, if possible, the exact nature of the substances
to be encountered. Read instructions and warnings on chemical container
labels and MSDSs before working with any chemical. Recommended glove
types are often listed in the section for personal protective equipment.

Chemicals eventually permeate all glove materials. However, they
can be used safely for limited time periods if specific use and other
characteristics (i.e., thickness and permeation rate and time) are
known. The Office of Health and Safety can assist in determining the
specific type of glove material that should be worn for a particular
chemical.

3.3 Selection and Use of PPE in Laboratories

PPE may be required to reduce the risk of exposure of an employee
by contact, inhalation or ingestion of an infectious agent, toxic substance,
or radioactive material. For biological agents, the Biosafety Officer,
in conjunction with the Lab Supervisor will determine the Biosafety
Level for the lab and the appropriate type of PPE required to be worn
while working in the lab. Personnel utilizing radioactive materials
are required to follow the requirements for protective equipment and
clothing provided by the Hope College Radiation Safety Manual and the
Radiation Safety Officer.

3.3.1 Laboratory Coats and Gowns

The lab coat can be used to protect street clothing against biological
or chemical spills as well as to provide some additional body protection.
The specific hazard(s) and the degree of protection required must be
known before selecting coats for lab personnel.

The Hope College Chemical Hygiene guidelines for biocontainment practices
recommend the use of a lab coat, gown, smock, or uniform while working
in research laboratories. They further recommend solid-front or wrap-around
gowns, scrub suits, or coveralls.

3.3.2 Foot Protection

Safety shoes should be worn in any area where there is a significant
risk of dropping heavy objects on the foot. For general biological
lab use, comfortable shoes such as tennis shoes or nurses shoes are
used extensibly. Sandals and other types of open-toed shoes are not
permitted in labs using biohazards or chemicals, due to the potential
exposure to infectious agents or toxic materials as well as physical
injuries associated with the work.

Safety shoes are required for groundskeeping activities especially
for mowing and weedtrimming activities.

3.3.3 Faceshields and Eye Protection

Faceshields and goggles should be worn whenever procedures with a
high potential for creating aerosols are conducted. These include necropsy
of infected animals, harvestig of tissues, or fluids from infected
animals and manipulations of high concentrations or large volumes of
infectious materials. Appropriate eye and face protection should also
be worn by all personnel entering animal rooms housing non-human primates.

Faceshields may also be worn by personal engaged in the activity
of pouring cleaning chemicals into containers or use of chemicals that
are highly corrosive.

3.3.4 Gloves

Gloves are worn in labs and animal rooms when handling infected animals
and when skin contact with infectious materials, including blood and
body fluids, is unavoidable.

Gloves may also be worn by Physical Plant employees engaged in any
activity that may cause abrasions, lacerations, or burns to the hand.

3.4 Cleaning and Maintenance

It is important that all PPE be kept clean and properly maintained.
Cleaning is particularly important for eye and face protection where
dirty or fogged lenses could impair vision. PPE should be inspected,
cleaned, and maintained at regular intervals so that the PPE provides
the requisite protection. Personal protective equipment shall not be
shared between employees until it has been properly cleaned and sanitized.
PPE will be distributed for individual use whenever possible.

It is also important to ensure that contaminated PPE, which cannot
be decontaminated, is disposed of in a manner that protects employees
from exposure to hazards.

3.5 Training

Any worker required to wear PPE shall receive training in the proper
use and care of PPE. Periodic retraining shall be offered by Lab Directors
to both the employees and the supervisors, as needed. The training
shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following subjects:

When PPE is necessary to be worn.

What PPE is necessary

How to properly don, doff, adjust, and wear PPE.

The limitations of the PPE.

The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE.

After the training, the employees shall demonstrate that they understand
the components of the PPE Program and how to use PPE properly, or they
shall be retrained.

3.6 Recordkeeping

Written records shall be kept of the names of persons trained, the
type of training provided, and the dates when training occurred. The
Supervisor shall maintain their employees' training records for at
least 3 years. The Office of Health and Fire Safety shall maintain
the Hazard Assessment Certification Form for each work site evaluated
for at least 3 years.

American National Standards Institute, American National Standard
ANSI Z87.1-1989, "Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and
Face Protection".

American National Standards Institute, American National Standard
ANSI Z89.1-1986, "Safety Requirements for Industrial Head Protection".

OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.132, "General Requirements"

OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.133, "Eye and Face Protection"

OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.135, "Head Protection"

OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.136, "Occupational Foot Protection"

OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.138, "Hand Protection"

APPENDIX A

General Guidelines for Choosing Personal Protective Equipment

Description and Use of Eye/Face Protectors

Safety Glasses. Protective eyeglasses are made with
safety frames, tempered glass or plastic lenses, temples and
side shields which provide eye protection from moderate impact
and particles encountered in job tasks such as carpentry, woodworking,
grinding, scaling, etc. Safety glasses are also available in
prescription form for those persons who need corrective lenses.

Single Lens Goggles. Vinyl framed goggles
of soft pliable body design provide adequate eye protection
from many hazards. These goggles are available with
clear or tinted lenses, perforated, port vented, or
non-vented frames. Single lens goggles provide similar
protection to spectacles and may be worn in combination
with spectacles or corrective lenses to insure protection
along with proper vision.

Welders/Chippers Goggles.
These goggles are available in
rigid and soft frames to accommodate
single or two eyepiece lenses.

Welders goggles provide
protection from sparking,
scaling, or splashing metals
and harmful light rays. Lenses
are impact resistant and
are available in graduated
shades of filtration.

Face
Shields. These normally
consist of an adjustable
headgear and face shield
of tinted/transparent
acetate or polycarbonate
materials, or wire screen.
Face shields are available
in various sizes, tensile
strength, impact/heat
resistance and light
ray filtering capacity.
Face shields will be
used in operations when
the entire face needs
protection and should
be worn to protect eyes
and face against flying
particles, metal sparks,
and chemical/biological
splash.

Head injuries are caused by falling or flying objects,
or by bumping the head against a fixed object. Head protectors,
in the form or protective hats, must resist penetration
an absorb the shock of a blow. The shell of the protective
hat is hard enough to resist the blow and the headband
and crown straps keep the shell away from the wearer's
skull. Protective hats can also protect against electrical
shock.

Protective hats are made in the following types and classes:

Type I - Helmets with a full brim

Type 2 - Brimless helmets with a peak extending forward
from the crown. ,LI>Class A - General service, limited
voltage. Intended for protection against impact hazards.
Used in mining, construction, and manufacturing.

Class B - Utility service, high voltage. Used by electrical
workers.

Class C - Special service, no voltage protection. Designed
for lightweight comfort and impact protection. Used in
certain construction, manufacturing, refineries, and
where there is a possibility of bumping the head against
a fixed object.

Foot Protection

There are many types and styles of protective
footwear and it's important to realize
that a particular job may require additional
protection other than listed here. Footwear
that meets established safety standards
will have an American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) label inside each shoe.

Steel-Reinforced Safety Shoes.
These shoes are designed to protect feet
from common machinery hazards such as
falling or rolling objects, cuts, and
punctures. The entire toe box and insole
are reinforced with steel, and the instep
is protected by steel, aluminum, or plastic
materials. Safety shoes are also designed
to insulate against temperature extremes
and may be equipped with special soles
to guard against slip, chemicals, and/or
electrical hazards.

Safety
Boots.
Safety
boots
offer
more
protection
when
splash
or
spark
hazards
(chemicals,
molten
materials)
are
present:
When
working
with
corrosives,
caustics,
cutting
oils,
and
petroleum
products,
neoprene
or
nitrile
boots
are
often
required
to
prevent
penetration.
Foundry
or "Gaiter" style
boots
feature
quick-release
fasteners
or
elasticized
insets
to
allow
speedy
removal
should
any
hazardous
substances
get
into
the
boot
itself.
When
working
with
electricity,
special
electrical
hazard
boots
are
available
and
are
designed
with
no
conductive
materials
other
than
the
steel
toe
(which
is
properly
insulated).

Skin
contact
is a potential
source
of exposure
to toxic
materials;
it is important
that the
proper
steps be
taken to
prevent
such contact.
Most accidents
involving
hands and
arms can
be classified
under four
main hazard
categories:
chemicals,
abrasions,
cutting,
and heat.
There are
gloves
available
that can
protect
workers
from any
of these
individual
hazards
or any
combination
thereof.

Gloves
should
be replaced
periodically,
depending
on frequency
of use
and permeability
to the
substance(s)
handled.
Gloves
overtly
contaminated
should
be rinsed
and then
carefully
removed
after use.

Gloves
should
also be
worn whenever
it is necessary
to handle
rough or
sharp-edged
objects,
and very
hot or
very cold
materials.
The type
of glove
materials
to be used
in these
situations
include
leather,
welder's
gloves,
aluminum-backed
gloves,
and other
types of
insulated
glove materials.

Careful
attention
must be
given to
protecting
your hands
when working
with tools
and machinery.
Power tools
and machinery
must have
guards
installed
or incorporated
into their
design
that prevent
the hands
from contacting
the point
of operation,
power train,
or other
moving
parts.
To protect
hands from
injury
due to
contact
with moving
parts,
it is important
to:

Ensure
that
guards
are always
in place
and used.

Always
lockout
machines
or tools
and disconnect
the power
before
making
repairs.

Treat
a machine
without
a guard
as inoperative;
and

Do
not wear
gloves
around
moving
machinery,
such
as drill
presses,
mills,
lathes,
and grinders.

The following
is a guide
to the
most common
types of
protective
work gloves
and the
types of
hazards
they can
guard against:

Disposable
Gloves.
Disposable
gloves,
usually
made
of
lightweight
plastic,
can
help
guard
against
mild
irritants.

Fabric
Gloves.
Made
of
cotton
or
fabric
blends
are
generally
used
to
improve
grip
when
handling
slippery
objects.
They
also
help
insulate
hands
from
mild
heat
or
cold.

Leather
Gloves.
These
gloves
are
used
to
guard
against
injuries
from
sparks
or
scraping
against
rough
surfaces.
They
are
also
used
in
combination
with
an
insulated
liner
when
working
with
electricity.

Metal
Mesh
Gloves.
These
gloves
are
used
to
protect
hands
form
accidental
cuts
and
scratches.
They
are
used
most
commonly
by
persons
working
with
cutting
tools
or
other
sharp
instruments.

Aluminized
Gloves.
Gloves
made
of
aluminized
fabric
are
designed
to
insulate
hands
from
intense
heat.
These
gloves
are
most
commonly
used
by
persons
working
molten
materials.

Chemical
Resistance
Gloves.
These
gloves
may
be
made
of
rubber,
neoprene,
polyvinyl
alcohol
or
vinyl,
etc.
The
gloves
protect
hands
from
corrosives,
oils,
and
solvents.

The following
table is
provided
as a guide
to the
different
types of
glove materials
and the
chemicals
they can
be used
against.
When selecting
chemical
resistance
gloves,
be sure
to consult
the manufacturers'
recommendations,
especially
if the
gloved
hand will
be immersed
in the
chemical.